The Summer Camp Society Blog

Presenting, The Facilitator Elevator: Sharing and Growing in Community

Presenting, The Facilitator Elevator: Sharing and Growing in Community

Level up your facilitation skills with the Facilitator Elevator! This game-changing tool helps camp trainers engage their teams, deliver impactful sessions, and build confidence in even the toughest training environments. Elevate your camp staff training with ease and energy.

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Smartphone Scrapbook: An Easy Icebreaker for Summer Camp Staff Training

Smartphone Scrapbook: An Easy Icebreaker for Summer Camp Staff Training

Looking for a simple yet powerful way to kick off your camp staff training? This icebreaker activity gets your team energized, laughing, and connecting within minutes. It's perfect for breaking down barriers and building the trust you need to tackle the summer ahead

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Transforming Our Communities

Transforming Our Communities

This blog explores the process of transforming camp communities by fostering inclusion, connection, and growth. It emphasizes the importance of creating safe spaces for campers and staff, building strong relationships, and promoting diversity. The post also discusses ways camp leaders can drive meaningful change within their camp environments by being intentional with their approaches to community building.

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Supporting Seasonal Summer Camp Staff

Supporting Seasonal Summer Camp Staff

Supporting seasonal summer camp staff requires intentional efforts in leadership, training, and community building. The blog offers practical tips for helping staff thrive, including creating strong support networks, providing mentorship, and ensuring mental health resources are accessible. Emphasis is placed on making staff feel valued, offering ongoing feedback, and fostering a positive camp environment.

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Camper Clubs

Camper Clubs

Camper Clubs provide a unique way to foster year-round engagement with campers by creating small groups that focus on shared interests. This blog outlines how camp leaders can implement these clubs to build deeper connections, facilitate skill development, and offer continuous opportunities for campers to stay involved in camp life outside the summer season.

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Defaulting to Inclusive Language
Staff, Inclusion & Community Building Dex Coen Gilbert Staff, Inclusion & Community Building Dex Coen Gilbert

Defaulting to Inclusive Language

This blog emphasizes the importance of using inclusive language in camp environments, explaining how thoughtful word choices can create a more welcoming space for everyone. It encourages camp leaders to adopt habits of inclusive communication, ensuring that all campers and staff feel seen, respected, and valued. The post offers practical tips for incorporating inclusivity into everyday conversations and camp policies.

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The Power of Boredom

The Power of Boredom

The blog post emphasizes the Power of Boredom, highlighting how boredom can spark creativity, self-discovery, and deeper connections among campers. It encourages camp leaders to allow unstructured time during camp to give campers the space to explore their interests, think independently, and engage more meaningfully with their peers and environment.

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Diversity Training Part 2
Staff, Inclusion & Community Building Dex Coen Gilbert Staff, Inclusion & Community Building Dex Coen Gilbert

Diversity Training Part 2

This blog continues the conversation on diversity and inclusion in camp environments, offering actionable insights for camp leaders. It focuses on the importance of ongoing training, creating safe spaces, and addressing biases within camp culture. The post also provides tools and strategies for implementing effective diversity training, ensuring that camps are inclusive and supportive for everyone.

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Make Staff Training Easier: How Outside Trainers Make a Big Difference
Staff, Staff Training, Leadership & Staff Development Sarah Kurtz McKinnon Staff, Staff Training, Leadership & Staff Development Sarah Kurtz McKinnon

Make Staff Training Easier: How Outside Trainers Make a Big Difference

Thinking about bringing in an outside trainer for your summer camp staff? Fresh eyes, new ideas, and a professional touch can elevate your team's skills and dynamics to the next level. Discover how an external expert can transform your camp culture and training outcomes

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Dearest Fellow Straight White Dudes
Staff, Inclusion & Community Building Mike O'Brien Staff, Inclusion & Community Building Mike O'Brien

Dearest Fellow Straight White Dudes

This blog is a candid reflection aimed at straight white men working in the camp industry, encouraging them to engage in conversations about privilege, power, and inclusivity. The post urges readers to challenge themselves, listen actively, and support the work of marginalized groups, with the goal of creating a more equitable and inclusive camp culture

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Cookie Jar Communities
Staff, Inclusion & Community Building Maddy Linder Staff, Inclusion & Community Building Maddy Linder

Cookie Jar Communities

This blog explores the concept of “cookie jar communities,” where camp leaders build trust, connection, and emotional safety among staff and campers. The metaphor highlights the importance of accumulating positive experiences and emotional deposits that foster a strong, resilient community. It emphasizes intentionality in building relationships and supporting one another through both challenges and celebrations.

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